Ireland to join South Africa's genocide case against 'Israel' at ICJ
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Ireland has just taken another step in support of the Palestinian people.
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A man carries a relative killed during the August 10 al-Tabieen school massacre from the hospital for burial. (AFP)
Ireland plans to join South Africa's case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the end of the year, according to Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheál Martin.
This comes after the Irish parliament passed a non-binding motion stating that "genocide is being perpetrated before our eyes by Israel in Gaza."
South Africa filed the case in December, accusing "Israel" of violating the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention during the war on Gaza. Several other nations, including Spain, Bolivia, Turkiye, and Maldives have already supported the case.
Ireland had previously stated it would join the proceedings once South Africa submitted its supporting document, which was done on Monday. Martin explained, “The government's decision to intervene in the South African case was based on detailed and rigorous legal analysis,” emphasizing Ireland's commitment to international law and accountability.
South Africa's submission, a "memorial" filed with the ICJ, presents over 750 pages of text and more than 4,000 pages of exhibits, showing evidence of genocide by "Israel" in Gaza. While the document is not public, it has been confirmed as received by the ICJ.
Ireland approves its first Palestine ambassador
Ireland officially approved, on Wednesday, the appointment of a full ambassador from Palestine, several months after recognizing the State of Palestine.
Ireland announced its recognition of Palestinian statehood in May, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were consequently formally established on September 29.
Palestine then notified Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs of its plans to elevate its representation in Ireland to a resident embassy, which will be led by Dr. Wahba Abdalmajid. On its part, Ireland, according to the Irish Times, is set to upgrade its mission in Ramallah, in the West Bank, from a representative office to a full embassy.
